Fed: Hotels call for wage freeze for low paid workers

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Fed: Hotels call for wage freeze for low paid workers

A union says a push by hoteliers to freeze a wage increase for low paid workers forsix months is an unreasonable excuse to avoid handing over money.

The Australian Hotels Association has an application before the Australian IndustrialRelations Commission Living Wage hearing into boosting minimum award wages.

The AHA application claims the Ansett collapse and a general decrease in tourism sinceSeptember 11 have gutted the hospitality industry.

It's requested a wage freeze for workers at high ranking accommodation hotels.

AHA spokesman SIMON BIRMINGHAM says major accommodation hotels have never experienceda downturn as severe or sustained as they've experienced since last September.

But the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union says the AHA's claim ispart of a pattern of employers not facing up to their responsibilities.

The ACTU is seeking a $25-a-week pay rise for all award-wage earners as part of thesafety net wage increase.

AAP RTV jmw/clr/jtb/rp

KEYWORD: WAGE HOTELS (MELBOURNE)